Iron Jawed Angels

Alice Paul and Lucy Burns return from England where they built ties with radical suffragists. They present a bold plan to NAWSA to campaign directly in Washington, D.C. for national voting rights and to steer the NAWSA Congressional Committee from the capital. Their proposal marks the dawn of militant activism aimed at mobilizing public opinion.

During an art gallery fundraiser, Paul convinces Inez Millholland to lead a parade on a white horse to capture national headlines. Paul also meets Ben Weissman, a Washington cartoonist whose presence hints at a romantic thread. Ida Wells-Barnett challenges the idea of African American women marching at the back, and ultimately joins the central white group to emphasize unity.

Disagreements over fundraising and tactics intensify as Paul and Burns push for bolder moves. They are pushed out of NAWSA, a turning point that leads them to establish the National Woman's Party (NWP). The split highlights the growing divide between mainstream suffrage activism and more militant tactics.

Alice Paul’s personal life intersects with politics as she briefly pursues a relationship with Ben Weissman. The romance adds emotional stakes to the public campaign and illustrates how political struggle can blur private lines.

NAWSA leaders criticize the NWP’s tactics as public demonstrations against President Wilson begin. The Silent Sentinels start picketing outside the White House, signaling a confrontation between the movement’s two streams. The tension reflects mounting pressure on the government to act.

Protests escalate as many suffragists are arrested for obstructing traffic. The arrests draw national attention to the cause and intensify government scrutiny. The movement’s resolve hardens as activists refuse to back down.

Inside the Occoquan Workhouse, prisoners endure abusive treatment and hunger strikes become a form of defiance. Guards respond with force-feeding of milk and raw eggs while inmates are isolated from visitors and lawyers. The scenes underscore the brutal realities faced by political prisoners.

Senator Tom Leighton visits his wife Emily Leighton among the imprisoned suffragists. A secret letter carried by Emily leaks to the public, exposing harsh conditions and igniting media interest. The leak increases political pressure on federal authorities to respond.

Paul, Burns, and other detainees are released as pressure mounts. The release signals a shift in public awareness and demonstrates that sustained activism can yield concessions. The events reinforce the strategic value of combining public demonstrations with political pressure.

With public opinion turning, NAWSA aligns with NWP's push for a constitutional amendment, moving beyond incremental state-by-state strategies. Leaders coordinate to keep pressure on the federal government and build momentum toward broad suffrage rights. The partnership marks a decisive turn in the movement’s strategy.

Wilson faces international expectations about democracy in Europe and domestic expectations to extend democratic rights at home. The administration’s stance shapes the pace and methods of suffrage activism. The political calculus intensifies as states consider ratification and national action.

The amendment moves toward approval as state legislatures and Congress maneuver to secure ratification. The film portrays both state and national arenas converging on a common goal. The outcome demonstrates how persistence and alliance can alter the course of constitutional change.

The film closes on a sense of historic achievement as the movement secures a path forward for the Nineteenth Amendment. Perseverance and strategic resolve carry suffrage victories into the wider national narrative. The final moments honor the collective sacrifice that helped unlock voting rights for half the population.